Cardinal D.E.E.P. Team Members (left to right in photo):
Joshua Shenkir of Sugar Land, Electrical Engineering, senior
Nick Vinson of Hudson, Electrical Engineering, senior
Paul Davis of Livingston, Electrical Engineering, senior (team captain)
Joshua Hollis of Evadale, Electrical Engineering, senior
Jason Patterson of Groves, Electrical Engineering, senior
Research topic: Three teams of electrical engineering seniors are working in a collaborative effort to create a space rover intended to travel on the surface of Mars.
Synopsis of research:
After meeting with David Cheuvront and Humboldt Mandell from NASA about the need for a craft capable of traveling the surface of Mars to locate water, several electrical engineering students are creating a space rover that will do just that. Cardinal B.E.A.S.T., which stands for Better Engineering through Advanced Space Technology, is producing the body of the rover. It will be self-powered and work in collaboration with two other teams. Cardinal Direction will be using a camera/compass combination to locate obstacles and relay information to B.E.A.S.T., allowing the rover to safely and efficiently navigate. Cardinal D.E.E.P. (Drilling Electrical Engineering Project) is designing a drill that will attach to the B.E.A.S.T. The teams are working with faculty mentor Dr. H. R. Myler. After the three parts are integrated, the teams will have created a self-navigating, self-powered space rover with a detachable drilling unit that fulfills NASA needs and will aid in space exploration. The teams will present the project at the Texas Space Grant Consortium Design Challenge in April, where they will be competing with schools from across Texas.
Dates of research: August 2007 to present
Faculty Mentor: Dr. H.R. Myler
Gus Becker: “This project has really opened my eyes to the importance of collaboration. It has allowed me to apply my classroom education into a practical application, and the contacts we made with NASA have offered our teams many opportunities.”
Nelson Gaspard: “I really enjoy working with this team. They’re all smart, capable individuals. I trust each person with his or her part of the project, and we still manage to have fun along the way. Dr. Myler has been very encouraging and confident in our team from the beginning, and he has helped us make sure our ideas were feasible. Also, I’m glad to be working in a collaborative effort with the other two teams. It will be very rewarding once all three parts come together.”
Paul Davis: “Working on this project has reassured me of my decision to become an electrical engineer. Dr. Myler is always available and helpful when we ask, and the skills I’ve learned while working on the rover will help me in my future career as an engineer.”
